Multi-Pin Clamp and Rod Attachmenton

ABSTRACT

A fixation rod clamp is for coupling a bone pin locking assembly to a bone fixation rod. The clamp comprises a rod attachment portion including a jaw portion and a coupling portion, the jaw portion having first and second opposing jaws extending in a first direction, the jaws forming an opening there between configured to receive the bone fixation rod, the coupling portion extending from the jaw portion in a second direction; and a coupling having a pin vise cooperating portion to engage the bone pin locking assembly and a clamp cooperating portion configured to receive the coupling portion. The jaw portion is configured to engage the bone fixation rod when the bone fixation rod is located within the opposing jaws to thereby mechanically couple the bone pin locking assembly to the bone fixation rod.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/736,753 filed on Dec. 14, 2000.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a traumatologic device, and, moreparticularly, to an improved traumatologic device for reducing long-bonefractures that require external fixation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of traumatologic devices for reduction of bone segments areknown in the art. For example external bone fixation devices (commonlyreferred to as external fixators) are known. Typically external fixatorsare used to reduce fractures of the long bones in the human body. Thesedevices are always placed in position under anesthesia. In order toreduce the duration of the anesthesia, fixator devices have beendeveloped to allow positioning at every possible angle, while stillallowing easy adjustment by a surgeon.

The early development of external fixator devices, such as thatexemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 2,250,417 to Ettinger, was aimed atproducing a simple and lightweight fracture reduction device which ispractical to leave in place to serve as a retention device, therebyrendering a cast unnecessary. As disclosed, the Ettinger device allowstwo separate sets of dual bone pins or screws, each transcutaneouslyinstalled in the bone on either side of a fracture, to be connected andfixed at variable points to a single bone fixation rod running roughlyparallel to the longitudinal axis of the affected bone. This resultantconnection of opposing pin/screw sets provides the immobilizationnecessary to allow proper healing of the fracture. Ettinger disclosesthe use of multiple sleeve and post connections between the bonepins/screws and the bone fixation rod to allow the bone pins or screwsto be installed at varying angles relative to the bone fixation rod.Ettinger additionally discloses the use of a rod and sleeveconfiguration whereby one of the two bone pin/screw couplings is fixedto the bone fixation rod, while the second comprises an internallythreaded sleeve that is threaded over the opposite end of the bonefixation rod, and whose position is adjustable relative to the fixedcoupling via rotation of the bone fixation rod.

Later improvements on the Ettinger design, such as that disclosed byU.S. Pat. No. 4,135,505 to Day, allow for the installation of anincreased and/or variable number of bone pins on each side of thefracture. This provides the advantage of giving the practitioner moreoptions in the spacing of pins, and of avoiding installing a pin at aparticular point on the bone if such placement was undesirable. The Daydevice additionally discloses a bone pin clamp incorporating a ball andsocket connection to allow for varying bone pin installation angles.

Further improvements such as those disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,160,335to Wagenknecht, U.S. Pat. No. 5,219,349 to Krag, U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,440to Huebner, U.S. Pat. No. 5,891,144 to Mata et al., and U.S. Pat. No.6,022,348 to Spitzer disclose bone pin/screw clamps which incorporatemore modern universal joint assemblies to allow easier adjustment of thedistance between bone pin clamps along the length of the bone fixationrod when the attached bone pins/screws are installed at multiple anglesrelative to the immobilization rod. Moreover the Krag, Huebner, Mata etal., and Spitzer devices provide easier means to adjust the relativedistance between bone pin couplings on opposing sides of a fracture(accomplished by simple sliding in the Krag, Huebner, Mata et al., andSpitzer devices, and by incremental rotation of an attached screw andnut combination in the Day and Wagenknecht devices). Yet a furtherimprovement is disclosed in the Wagenknecht patent, which providessprings between the bone pin clamp faces to spread the faces and therebyfacilitate introduction of the bone pins.

The difficulty with the Huebner, Krag, Wagenknecht and Day devices isthat their means of fixing the bone pin clamp to the bone fixation rodis by way of a closed hole and screw combination. To facilitateinstallation of these fixators, the bone pin clamps must be threadedonto the bone fixation rod from one end of the rod, making installationcumbersome. The Mata et al., and Spitzer devices address this problem byproviding bone pin clamps that attach to the bone fixation rod utilizingopen-face jaws. This design allows the device to be engaged with the rodby simply placing it onto the desired location along the length of therod, without the need for threading as in the Mata et al. and Spitzerdevices. The difficulty with the Mata et al. and Spitzer devices is thattheir open-faced bone pin clamp jaws are two-piece designs which bytheir nature cannot be self-sprung and so require the use of anadditional piece, such as a coil or compression spring, to maintain thejaws in an open position during installation onto the bone fixation rod.Additionally, the two piece nature of their design increases unitfabrication difficulty and cost.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art to provide a simpler design bonepin clamp assembly that minimizes the total number of steps an operatormust take to engage the clamp assemblies and bone fixation rod, whilestill providing maximum flexibility to the operator in adjusting thedistance between bone pin clamps on either side of a fracture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a fixation rod clamp for coupling a bonepin locking assembly to a bone fixation rod. The clamp comprises a rodattachment portion having a jaw portion with a longitudinal axis andfirst and second opposing jaws configured to receive the bone fixationrod, and a coupling portion. The fixation rod clamp further comprises acoupling having a pin vise cooperating portion to engage the bone pinlocking assembly and a clamp cooperating portion configured to receivethe coupling portion of the rod attachment portion. The fixation rodclamp comprises a single piece, and the jaw portion of the fixation rodclamp is configured to engage the bone fixation rod when the bonefixation rod is pressed into the opposing jaws to mechanically couplethe bone pin locking assembly to the bone fixation rod.

The first opposing jaw may further have a first spring constant and thesecond opposing jaw may further have a second spring constant, such thatwhen at least one of the first and second opposing jaws is displacedfrom a rest position, a resulting spring force is generated in the atleast one jaw, urging the displaced jaw back toward the rest position.The fixation clamp may further be configured so that when the bonefixation rod is inserted into the fixation rod clamp jaw portion, thespring force in the at least one opposing jaw contributes to themechanical coupling of the bone pin locking assembly to the bonefixation rod. The fixation rod clamp may also be configured to have alocked position which substantially prevents movement of the clamp alongthe bone fixation rod. The fixation rod clamp may comprise a boltdisposed within and operatively associated with the fixation rod clampjaw portion, wherein tightening of the bolt configures the clamp to thelocked position.

The fixation rod clamp jaw portion may engage the bone fixation rod whenthe rod is pressed into the jaw portion in a direction substantiallyalong the longitudinal axis of the jaw portion.

A fixation member clamp may be provided for coupling a bone fixationmember to a locking assembly, the member clamp comprising a firstfixation member clamp portion having a jaw portion with a longitudinalaxis and first and second opposing jaws configured to receive the bonefixation member. The member clamp may also comprise a first couplingportion configured to engage the locking assembly. The first fixationmember clamp portion may comprise a single piece, and the jaw portionmay be configured to engage the bone fixation member when the fixationmember is pressed into the opposing jaws to thereby mechanically couplethe locking assembly to the bone fixation member.

The locking assembly may further comprise a second fixation member clampportion having a jaw portion with a longitudinal axis and first andsecond opposing jaws configured to receive a second bone fixationmember. The locking assembly may further comprise a second couplingportion configured to engage the first coupling portion of the memberclamp. The fixation member clamp portions each may comprise a singlepiece, and the jaw portion of each clamp portion may be configured toengage one of the bone fixation members when the associated bonefixation member is pressed into the opposing jaws to therebymechanically couple the fixation member clamp portion to the associatedbone fixation member.

The first and second opposing jaws of the single-piece fixation clampportion may have a clearance therebetween that is slightly smaller thanan outside diameter of the bone fixation member such that aninterference is established between the opposing jaws and the fixationmember when the fixation member is initially installed into the jawportion.

The first and second opposing jaws may further have respective first andsecond spring constants, so that when at least one of the first andsecond opposing jaws is displaced from a rest position, a resultingspring force is generated in the at least one jaw, urging the jaw backto the rest position. The fixation member clamp may further beconfigured so that when the fixation member is pressed into the jawportion, the spring force contributes to the mechanical coupling of thelocking assembly to the bone fixation member.

The fixation member clamp may also be configured so that the jaw portionengages the bone fixation member when the fixation member is pressedinto the jaw portion in a direction substantially along the longitudinalaxis of the jaw portion. The fixation member clamp of this embodimentmay be capable of being immobilized along the first bone fixation memberwithout freedom to rotate or move, and further a bolt may be disposedwithin and operatively associated with the fixation rod clamp jawportion, wherein tightening of the bolt configures the clamp to thelocked position.

A pair of fixation member clamps may be provided for coupling first andsecond bone fixation members, the clamps comprising first and secondfixation member clamps, each clamp comprising a jaw portion having alongitudinal axis and first and second opposing jaws configured toreceive a bone fixation member. Each clamp may further comprise acoupling portion, the coupling portions of the first and second fixationmember clamps may be configured and arranged to engage each other toprovide at least one degree of relative rotational freedom. At least oneof the jaw portions may comprise a single piece, the at least one jawportion configured to engage the first or second bone fixation memberwhen the fixation member is pressed into its opposing jaws to therebymechanically couple the bone fixation member to the at least onerespective fixation member clamp.

At least one of the fixation member clamps of this embodiment may havefirst and second opposing jaws which have a clearance therebetween thatis slightly smaller than an outside diameter of the respective bonefixation member such that an interference is established between saidopposing jaws and the bone fixation member when the bone fixation memberis initially installed into the single-piece jaw portion. The at leastone fixation member clamp first and second opposing jaws may haverespective first and second spring constants so that when at least oneof the first and second opposing jaws is displaced from a rest position,a resulting spring force is generated in the at least one jaw, urgingthe displaced jaw back toward the rest position, and the spring forcesmay contribute to the mechanical coupling of the fixation member clampto the bone fixation member.

The jaw portion of the at least one fixation member clamp may engage theassociated bone fixation rod when the rod is pressed into the jawportion in a direction substantially along the longitudinal axis of thejaw portion. One of the fixation member clamps may be capable of beingimmobilized along its associated bone fixation rod without freedom torotate or move. A bolt may be disposed within and operatively associatedwith jaw portion of the at least one fixation member clamp, so thattightening of the bolt locks the position of the clamp.

In an alternative embodiment, a fixation member clamp may be providedfor coupling to a first bone fixation member. The clamp may comprise afixation member attachment portion having a jaw portion and a couplingportion. The jaw portion may have a longitudinal axis and first andsecond opposing jaws configured to receive the first bone fixationmember. The coupling portion may be configured to engage a lockingassembly, the locking assembly comprising a coupling portion associatedwith the coupling portion of the fixation member attachment portion. Thelocking assembly may further comprise a locking portion configured toengage a second bone fixation member. Further, the jaw portion maycomprise a single piece and be configured to engage the first bonefixation member when the member is pressed into the opposing jaws of thejaw portion to mechanically couple the bone fixation member to thelocking assembly.

The single-piece fixation member clamp first and second opposing jawsmay have a clearance therebetween which is slightly smaller than anoutside diameter of the bone fixation member such that an interferenceis established between the opposing jaws and the bone fixation memberwhen the bone fixation member is initially installed into the jawportion. At least one of the fixation member may comprise a bonefixation rod, and the locking assembly may comprise a bone pin lockingassembly.

The coupling portions of the fixation member attachment portion and thelocking assembly may be configured to allow at least one degree ofrotational freedom of the jaw portion with respect to the lockingassembly. The coupling portions may further be configured to allow atleast two degrees of rotational freedom of the fixation member clampwith respect to the locking assembly. The coupling portions of thefixation member attachment portion and the locking assembly may alsocomprise corresponding serrations to prevent relative rotation of themember attachment portion and the locking assembly when the serrationsof the respective coupling portions are engaged.

The coupling portion of either the fixation member attachment portion orthe locking assembly may comprise a spring, and the other may comprise abore configured to accept the spring. The coupling portions may befurther configured so that the spring tends to separate thecorresponding serrations to permit relative rotation of the fixationmember attachment portion and the locking assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the present invention will become morereadily apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention in which like elements are labeled similarly and in which:

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C are two exploded perspective views and an elevationview of a bone pin vise portion, a bone pin vise opposing plate and stargrind cover, and a bone pin vise opposing plate incorporating triangularbone pin clamping grooves, respectively, of the bone pin lockingassembly of the current invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a rod attachment portion ofthe bone pin locking assembly of the current invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an assembled bone pin vise portion ofFIG. 1 connected to an assembled rod attachment portion of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the single piece fixation rodclamp;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the single-piece fixation rod clampand a bone fixation rod;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a complete bone fixation deviceinstalled on a bone; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the stacked clamp assembly embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The traumatological device of the present invention is discussed hereinwith reference to a preferred embodiment adapted to be used in theconsolidation and fixation of a fractured long bone. It is to beunderstood that the invention finds applicability for use in anycircumstance in which it is desired to fix the orientation of bonesegments on either side of a fracture.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, FIG. 1A shows an explodedview of a bone pin vise portion. As shown in FIG. 1A, the bone pin viseportion 1 comprises first and second opposing plates 2 and 2′ withengaging faces 4 and 4′, and outside faces 6 and 6′. Each engaging faceis characterized by a plurality of spaced parallel grooves 8 and 8′which are cylindrically arcuate and which are in confronting relation tothe spaced parallel grooves on the face of the opposite plate. Theparallel grooves 8 and 8′ coordinate to receive the proximal ends ofbone pins 28 (shown in FIG. 6) installed on one side of a fracturedbone. When the pin vise portion is in the clamped condition, the bonepins 28 are nested in the respective grooves formed by the conjunctionof parallel grooves 8 and 8′ (of engaging faces 4 and 4′). It will beunderstood that the number and shape of the grooves is not critical tothe operation of the device.

The opposing plates 2 and 2′ are connected by two vise bolts 12 and 12′which operate to draw together engaging faces 4 and 4′ in order to gripthe proximal ends of bone pins 28 which have been installed in a bone.Vise bolts 12 and 12′ are slideably accepted by corresponding bores 14and 14′ in each end of first opposing plate 2, and are threadablyaccepted by threaded bores 16 and 16′ in each end of second opposingplate 2′. The internal threads of bores 16 and 16′ of second opposingplate 2′ correspond with the external threads of vise bolts 12 and 12′such that a clockwise rotation of vise bolts 12 and 12′ acts to drawopposing plates 2 and 2′, and therefore engaging faces 4 and 4′,together. Further, first opposing plate 2 incorporates bolt head bearingsurfaces 30 and 30′ to provide uniform bearing contact with the bottomsof the heads of pin vice bolts 12 and 12′. The vise bolts 12 and 12′ maybe provided with washers 18 and 18′ positioned between the heads of thevice bolts 12 and 12′, and bolt head bearing surfaces 30 and 30′ of thepin vise portion opposing plate 2. The washers serve to reduce frictionbetween the vise bolts and bolt head bearing surfaces, thereby easingfinal tightening of the vise bolts.

Preferably, the vise bolts 12 and 12′ will be initially fit with thewashers 18 and 18′, then installed in the opposing plates, followed by a“loose-fit” tightening to the point that only a small clearance remainsbetween the cylindrical voids formed by the plurality of spaced parallelgrooves 8 and 8′ and the outside surfaces of the cylindrical bone pins28. In this way the pin vise portion 1 may easily be slipped onto thebone pins 28, such that during the surgical procedure only minoradditional tightening of the vise bolts 12 and 12′ will be required tofirmly fix the bone pins 28 within the bone pin vise portion 1.

In a preferred embodiment, the pin vise portion opposing plates 2 and 2′incorporate coil springs 10 and 10′ between engaging faces 4 and 4′ toforcibly separate engaging faces 4 and 4′. The provision of thisseparating force holds the plates apart during installation of the pinvise portion onto the bone pin proximal ends, easing such installation.To this end, cylindrical coil springs 10 and 10′ are installed about theshafts of vise bolts 12 and 12′ such that vise bolt shafts are slidablyreceived by the bore formed within the inside diameter of each coilspring 10 and 10′ (see FIG. 3).

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of a rod attachment portion 50, comprisinga single-piece fixation rod clamp 56, a coupling 52, a coil spring 68,and a coupling bolt 64. The single-piece fixation rod clamp has acylindrical coupling portion 58 which is slidably disposed within anaperture 54 formed by the body of the coupling 52. Single-piece fixationrod clamp 56 is thus interconnected to and slidably disposed within thecoupling 52 so as to allow 360-degree rotation of the single-piecefixation rod clamp 56 within the coupling aperture 54. The coupling bolt64, having a head and a threaded distal end 66, is slidably disposedwithin a bore 70 formed in the body of coupling 52. The longitudinalaxis of bore 70 is oriented perpendicular to that of the couplingaperture 54. The coupling bolt threaded distal end 66 is threadablyaccepted by an internally and compatibly threaded bore 26 formed in thetop center of opposing plate 2 (shown in FIG. 1A) of pin vise portion 1(shown in FIG. 1A). The single-piece fixation rod clamp 56 is thusinterconnected to and rotatably disposed about pin vise portion 1. Thesingle-piece fixation rod clamp 56 is interconnected to and rotatablydisposed, with two degrees of rotational freedom, about pin vise portion1, and so about bone pins 28 (shown in FIG. 6). The first degree ofrotational freedom is provided by the rotation of single-piece fixationrod clamp 56 relative to the rod attachment portion coupling 52; thesecond by the rotation of the rod attachment portion coupling relativeto pin vise portion 1.

The single-piece fixation rod clamp 56 is stabilized and fixed to therod attachment portion coupling 52 by tightening the coupling bolt 64.Tightening of the coupling bolt 64 also results in the stabilization andfixation of the entire rod attachment portion 50 to the pin vise portion1.

In a preferred embodiment, the coupling 52 has a bearing face 60incorporating serrations 62 which extend over the entire face, and whichcorrespond with like serrations 24 (shown in FIG. 1A) formed in thecorresponding bearing face of the pin vise portion 1. The serrations maybe disposed in a radial fashion to form a “star grind,” or may have anytype of profile known in the art. The serrations 62, 24 serve tominimize or prevent rotational slippage between the coupling 52 and thepin vise portion 1 subsequent to final tightening of the coupling bolt64.

In another preferred embodiment, the pin vise portion opposing plate 2′(shown in FIG. 1B) incorporates an internally threaded bore 20, intowhich the coupling bolt 64 of a second rod attachment portion 50 (shownin FIG. 2) may be threaded. The bearing face 21 of the pin vise portionopposing plate 2′ incorporates serrations 23 which extend over theentire face, and which correspond with like serrations 62 of the bearingface 60 of a second rod attachment portion 50 (shown in FIG. 2). Theserrations 62, 23 serve to minimize or prevent rotational slippagebetween the second coupling 52 and the pin vise portion 1 subsequent tofinal tightening of the second coupling bolt 64. Two rod attachmentportions 50 may thereby be installed on one pin vise portion 1 toprovide the fracture site with the additional stabilizing force of asecond bone fixation rod 100 (shown in FIG. 6). For those instances inwhich the surgeon does not require the additional stabilizing force of asecond bone fixation rod, an externally threaded “star grind” cover 22(shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B) is provided. The cover is threadably acceptedby the internally threaded bore 20 of the pin vise portion opposingplate 2′ (shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B). The cover 22 may have a bearingface 25 (shown in FIG. 1A) incorporating serrations 27 which extend overthe entire face, and which correspond with like serrations 23 (shown inFIG. 1B) formed in the corresponding bearing face of the pin viseportion opposing plate 2′. The serrations may be disposed in a radialfashion to form a “star grind,” or may have any type of profile known inthe art. The serrations 23, 27 serve to minimize or prevent rotationalslippage between the star grind cover 22 and the pin vise portion 1subsequent to final tightening of the star grind cover.

As shown in FIG. 2, the coupling bolt 64 may be provided with a coilspring 68 disposed about the circumference of the bolt 64. The spring ispartially slidably received within a bore 71 provided in the couplingbearing face 60. This bore is of larger diameter than coupling bore 70,which results in the creation of a circumferential ledge 72 within thecoupling 52. When compressed between the rod attachment portion couplingcircumferential ledge 72 and the pin vise portion 1 (shown in FIG. 1A),the spring 68 acts to provide a force tending to separate the coupling52 and the pin vise portion 1. This force prevents engagement of theserrations 62, 24 (and serrations 62, 23 in the alternative embodimentwhere a second bone fixation rod is utilized) during installation, andthus enables easy relative rotation and fit-up.

FIG. 4 shows the details of the novel single-piece fixation rod clamp 56of the present invention. The single-piece fixation rod clamp comprisesa jaw portion 80, which further comprises a set of opposing jaws 82 and82′, each connected to a respective spring arm 86 and 86′. The springarms converge to a smooth cylindrical coupling portion 58.Significantly, the jaw portion 80 is manufactured in a single piece, sothat when the jaws 82 and 82′ are positively displaced with respect totheir rest position, a resulting spring force is generated which tendsto force the jaws back to the rest position. The jaw portion 80 ispreferably manufactured such that the initial clearance “X” betweenopposing jaws 82 and 82′ is slightly smaller than the outside diameter“Y” of the bone fixation rod 100 (shown in FIG. 5). In this way aninterference is established between jaws 82 and 82′ and the bonefixation rod 100 when the bone fixation rod is initially installed intothe jaw portion 80. Based on the natural spring action of the springarms 86 and 86′ adjoining the jaws 82 and 82′ respectively, the relativeinterference between the jaws and the bone fixation rod enables theentire bone pin locking assembly (comprising pin vise portion 1 and rodattachment portion 50) to be snapped onto the bone fixation rod 100 bythe operator, resulting in the capture of the bone fixation rod 100within the rod attachment jaw portion 80. Although not fully stabilized,the spring action of the spring arms is sufficient to maintain a loosecoupling of the assembly with the rod. This frees up the hands of thesurgeon performing the fixation procedure.

Final stabilization of the bone fixation rod 100 within the jaw portion80 is accomplished through the use of a bolt 92 placed through the jawportion spring arms 86 and 86′, in combination with a nut 90 (see FIG.4). Upon tightening the nut 90 and bolt 92, the spring arms 86 and 86′,and most importantly for the purposes of the invention, the adjoiningjaws 82 and 82′, are drawn together until the bone fixation rod 100 isfirmly held between the jaws 82 and 82′. Repeated loosening andtightening of the rod attachment portion on the bone fixation rod ispossible without the need for re-engagement of the rod within the jaw.In this way the surgeon may easily and multiply adjust the position ofthe rod attachment portion along the bone fixation rod.

An external hexagon 94 may be provided integral to the shoulder of thejaw bolt 92. This external hexagon 94 conforms to an internal hexagonalrecess 96 provided within jaw portion spring arm 86. The bolt is therebyrotationally fixed to the jaw portion, such that the surgeon need onlyfocus on threading the nut onto the bolt without having to worry aboutholding the bolt still.

A washer 88 may be provided between the nut 90 and jaw portion springarm 86′. This washer can be of any design known in the art satisfactoryto prevent galling of the nut and jaw portion spring arm, and tofacilitate installation of nut 90 and bolt 92.

FIG. 7 shows a “stacked” bone pin locking assembly which comprises onepin vise portion 1 with two associated rod attachment portions 50. Sucha stacked assembly permits the surgeon to provide an additionalstabilizing force, associated with a second bone fixation rod 100, tothe fracture site. In this way a framework of bone fixation rods may bebuilt about the fracture site.

Accordingly, it should be understood that the embodiments disclosedherein are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention.Various other modifications may be made by those skilled in the artwhich will embody the principles of the invention and fall within thespirit and the scope thereof.

1-30. (canceled)
 31. A fixation rod clamp for coupling a bone pinlocking assembly to a bone fixation rod, the clamp comprising: a rodattachment portion including a jaw portion and a coupling portion, thejaw portion having first and second opposing jaws extending in a firstdirection, the jaws forming an opening there between configured toreceive the bone fixation rod, the coupling portion extending from thejaw portion in a second direction; and a coupling having a pin visecooperating portion to engage the bone pin locking assembly and a clampcooperating portion configured to receive the coupling portion, whereinthe jaw portion is configured to engage the bone fixation rod when thebone fixation rod is located within the opposing jaws to therebymechanically couple the bone pin locking assembly to the bone fixationrod.
 32. The fixation rod clamp of claim 31, wherein the first opposingjaw has a first spring constant, and the second opposing jaw has asecond spring constant, and wherein when at least one of the first andsecond opposing jaws is displaced from a rest position, a resultingspring force is generated in the at least one jaw, urging the displacedjaw back toward the rest position.
 33. The fixation rod clamp of claim32, wherein when the bone fixation rod is inserted into the jaw portion,the spring force in the at least one opposing jaw contributes to themechanical coupling of the bone pin locking assembly to the bonefixation rod.
 34. The fixation rod clamp of claim 31, wherein the clampis configured to have a locked position which substantially preventsmovement of the clamp along the bone fixation rod.
 35. The fixation rodclamp of claim 31, wherein the jaw portion engages and provisionallyholds the bone fixation rod when the bone fixation rod is located in thejaw portion.
 36. A fixation member clamp assembly for coupling a bonefixation member, comprising: a plurality of fixation member clampsincluding first and second fixation member clamps, each of the first andsecond fixation member clamps including a jaw portion having first andsecond opposing jaws extending in a first direction, the jaws forming anopening there between configured to receive a bone fixation member, thejaw portion having an extension; a bone pin locking assembly; and acoupling having an aperture, the aperture being configured to receivethe extension and provide at least one degree of relative rotationalfreedom, wherein the coupling of the first and second fixation memberclamps is configured and arranged to engage the bone pin lockingassembly so as to provide at least a second degree of relativerotational freedom.
 37. The fixation member clamp of claim 36, whereinthe first and second opposing jaws of said at least one jaw portion havea clearance there between that is slightly smaller than an outsidediameter of the respective bone fixation member such that aninterference is established between said opposing jaws and the bonefixation member when the bone fixation member is initially installedinto the single-piece jaw portion.
 38. The fixation member clamp ofclaim 37, wherein the first opposing jaw has a first spring constant,and the second opposing jaw has a second spring constant, wherein whenat least one of the first and second opposing jaws is displaced from arest position, a resulting spring force is generated in the at least onejaw, urging the displaced jaw back toward the rest position.
 39. Thefixation member clamp of claim 38, wherein when the bone fixation memberis inserted into the jaw portion, the spring force contributes to themechanical coupling of the fixation member clamp to the bone fixationmember.
 40. The fixation member clamp of claim 36, wherein at least oneof the bone fixation members comprises a bone fixation rod.
 41. Thefixation member clamp of claim 36, wherein at least one of the first andsecond fixation member clamps is capable of being immobilized along itsassociated bone fixation rod without freedom to rotate or move.
 42. Afixation member clamp for coupling to a first bone fixation member, theclamp comprising: a fixation member attachment portion including a jawportion and a coupling portion, the jaw portion having first and secondopposing jaws extending in a first direction, the jaws forming anopening there between configured to receive the first bone fixationmember, the coupling portion forming an extension extending from the jawportion; and a locking assembly comprising a coupling and a lockingportion, the coupling forming an aperture to receive the extension ofthe coupling portion, the locking portion configured to engage a pinvise portion, wherein the fixation member attachment portion isconfigured to engage the first bone fixation member when the first bonefixation member is located between the opposing jaws of the jaw portionto thereby mechanically couple the bone fixation member to the lockingassembly, and wherein the coupling portion of the fixation memberattachment portion and the locking assembly are configured to allow atleast one degree of rotational freedom of the jaw portion with respectto the locking assembly.
 43. A fixation rod clamp for coupling a bonepin locking assembly to a bone fixation rod, the clamp comprising: a rodattachment portion including a jaw portion and a coupling portion, thejaw portion having first and second opposing jaws configured to receivethe bone fixation rod, the coupling portion joined with the jaw portion;and a coupling having a pin vise cooperating portion to engage the bonepin locking assembly and a clamp cooperating portion configured toreceive the coupling portion.
 44. The fixation rod clamp of claim 43,wherein the first opposing jaw has a first spring constant, and thesecond opposing jaw has a second spring constant, and wherein when atleast one of the first and second opposing jaws is displaced from a restposition, a resulting spring force is generated in the at least one jaw,urging the displaced jaw back toward the rest position.
 45. The fixationrod clamp of claim 44, wherein when the bone fixation rod is insertedinto the jaw portion, the spring force in the at least one opposing jawcontributes to the mechanical coupling of the bone pin locking assemblyto the bone fixation rod.
 46. The fixation rod clamp of claim 43,wherein the clamp is configured to have a locked position whichsubstantially prevents movement of the clamp along the bone fixationrod.
 47. The fixation rod clamp of claim 43, wherein the jaw portionengages and provisionally holds the bone fixation rod when the bonefixation rod is located in the jaw portion.